MSI Claw A8: The First Next-Gen Handheld Gaming PC

Since the Steam Deck burst onto the scene in 2022, handheld gaming PCs have been steadily gaining popularity. However, the top-tier handhelds for the past two years have relied on the same Z1 Extreme chipset. The MSI Claw A8, unveiled at Computex 2025, marks a significant shift as the first handheld to feature the newly announced AMD Z2 Extreme at CES 2025.

The MSI Claw A8 closely resembles the recently launched Claw 8 AI, but with some key modifications. MSI has reduced the maximum RAM from 32GB to 24GB of LPDDR5X, running at 8,000MHz. Additionally, the display now supports VRR (variable refresh rate), ensuring a smoother gaming experience with less screen tearing despite both models featuring 120Hz FullHD panels.

The most notable upgrade is the switch from the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V to the AMD Z2 Extreme. This gaming APU boasts 8 Zen 5 CPU cores and 16 RDNA 3.5 graphics cores, offering more Compute Units than the Z1 Extreme's 12 and an enhanced architecture.

MSI also introduced an updated version of the MSI Claw 8 AI+ with a fresh color scheme and an expanded 2TB SSD. This model continues to be powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V.

While the MSI Claw A8 is expected to launch later this year, specific release dates and pricing remain undisclosed. Given the MSI Claw 8 AI+'s $999 price tag, the new AMD-powered A8 is likely to be on the pricier side.

The AMD Z2 Extreme Race Is On

The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme was quietly announced at CES in January 2025. Nearly five months on, no handheld has yet hit the market with this new silicon, sparking a race among manufacturers to be the first to do so.

Technically, the Lenovo Legion Go 2, unveiled at CES 2025, is equipped with the Z2 Extreme, but no release timeline has been hinted at. Instead, Lenovo released the less powerful and more expensive Z2 Go-powered Lenovo Legion Go S.

Rumors suggest that the Asus ROG Ally 2 will also utilize the Z2 Extreme, though no official announcement has been made. There's also buzz about a potential collaboration between Asus and Microsoft for an Xbox-branded version of the Ally 2, which would likely feature the Z2 Extreme as well.

However, the Steam Deck 2 will not be using the Z2 Extreme. Valve has stated that the new generation of Z-series chips from AMD doesn't represent a significant enough leap to warrant a new handheld. While this might cast some doubt on the Z2 Extreme's capabilities, the upcoming alternatives to the Steam Deck are poised to offer improvements over current market offerings, which is a positive development for gamers.